vDOCKENDORF continued from page 13
the Corsica Globe. The temporary assignment led to a permanent offer,
which developed into a sharing arrangement among three publisher
with five weekly newspapers (Corsica, Armour, Delmont, Parkston
and Tripp).
“I learned a great deal during those early years,” said Dockendorf,
who eventually became managing editor of the Parkston and Tripp
newspapers.
“I covered a wide variety of assignments and learned many skills,”
he added. “I also learned from my mistakes, which was valuable.”
By the time Dockendorf moved to Yankton in 1993, he had already
established himself as an experienced and trustworthy journalist in
South Dakota, but his new home presented new challenges, he said.
Not only did he have to familiarize himself with a new community,
he had to familiarize himself with neighboring Nebraska — a portion
of the Press & Dakotan’s coverage area.
“I have also met great people both as friends and sources who
share their stories with me,” Dockendorf said. “In addition, Yankton
is located close to larger cities, which provides some awesome
opportunities.”
His career at the Press & Dakotan has allowed Dockendorf to cover
political stories from every avenue — from local issues to statewide
issues and to national issues.
He specifically remembers the chance to interview presidential
candidates during a week-long Washington, D.C., summit that was
sponsored by Morris Communications, which owned the Press &
Dakotan at the time. Dockendorf said he asked a question of GOP
candidate Pat Buchanan, and Buchanan then followed it up with a later
phone call during his campaign.
On the other side of the political aisle, Dockendorf covered thenFirst Lady Hillary Clinton during her health care summit in Lennox,
and he later covered the Clintons in Brandon and Sioux Falls.
Other experiences are truly South Dakotan, Dockendorf said,
such as the access to the governor and lieutenant governor and
the congressional delegation. Then-Gov. Bill Janklow provided
Dockendorf and his mother with a tour of the Capitol rotunda,
including the colored tiles embedded in the floor. Dockendorf also
joked that current Lt. Gov. Matt Michels (a Yankton native) once
initiated him into the ‘Brotherhood of the Moustache’ — Dockendorf
was presented with a fake moustache for a photo.
In his line of work, Dockendorf said he also reports on tragic
moments, such as covering people whose lives ended too young
because of accidents or other circumstances.
“I often found their families and friends wanting to talk about their
loved ones and their special qualities,” Dockendorf said. “Those
experiences continue to the present day.”
Natural disasters have also played a key role in his coverage over the
years, Dockendorf added. Those have ranged from the 1998 Spencer
tornado that claimed six lives and decimated the town of 320 residents,
to the 2011 Missouri River flooding that wreaked billions of dollars of
damages.
“The Missouri River flooding coverage lasted months, and the
aftermath continues to this day,” Dockendorf said.
The Global War on Terror has also become a regular ‘beat’ for
Dockendorf, he said.
That coverage has featured the return of soldiers from deployment,
but he has also covered the tragedy of fallen soldiers who didn’t return
home — including Rich Schild, Dan Cuka, Allen Kokesh Jr. and Greg
Wagner. The four men died during an Iraqi mission with the Yankton20vHISVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
based Charlie Battery (now Bravo Battery).
Dockendorf has also covered other casualties of war, such as the
traumatic brain injuries and other challenges facing Sgt. Corey Briest
of Yankton. Briest’s wife, Jenny, fought for him to reach his needed
treatment.
“Their situation also gave rise to a local and nationwide campaign
that raised $250,000 to build a new handicapped-accessible home for
him and his family,” Dockendorf said.
It’s those experiences with people that Dockendorf said is the most
enjoyable aspect of his job.
“I love the variety of stories and getting out on the road to see what
awaits you,” Dockendorf said. “You never know what to expect, and no
two days are exactly the same.”
While there are certainly stressful days for him, Dockendorf said
the adrenaline rush and the rewards in “getting to share history in the
making” are what make his job enjoyable.
“Everyone has a story to tell, and the story is there if you just look
for it,” he said.
Throughout his career, Dockendorf has been able to work with
many “outstanding” colleagues on the Press & Dakotan staff and across
South Dakota and the nation, he said.
Bob Karolevitz and Hod Nielsen were both great journalists and
mentors, according to Dockendorf.
“They truly were members of the Greatest Generation and were
extremely gifted writers,” he said.
Dockendorf also revered Dick Anderson, the former Yankton High
School journalism advisor who also worked part-time at the Press &
Dakotan, he said.
“There have been many others; too many to name,” Dockendorf
said.
While the storytelling aspect of his job hasn’t changed throughout
his career, other aspects have changed for Dockendorf.
The use of technology — from typewriters to now computers,
and dark rooms to now digital cameras — has certainly changed the
ways journalists can tell a story, but the basic factors remain the same,
Dockendorf said.
“But in the end, it’s all about keeping the human aspect of
journalism and never losing that personal touch,” he said. “You can’t
replace those qualities with all the technology in the world.”
As fast as information can be disseminated these days with the
Internet and social media (such as Facebook and Twitter), Dockendorf
said its puts even more pressure on the journalist to get the news out
instantaneously.
“But you still need to guard for accuracy, or your credibility is
destroyed,” he added.
His passion for telling people’s stories hasn’t changed at all from
those early days writing ‘class news’ while in the fifth grade, according
to Dockendorf.
“God has truly blessed me,” he said. “It’s been an awesome ride
bringing me into contact with wonderful people from all walks of life
that I would never otherwise have met or known.”
It’s a journey he hopes continues for many years to come,
Dockendorf added.
“I can’t wait to see what else God and life has planned for me,” he
said. “And thank you to all those who make me part of their lives! I
truly appreciate it!” n